Many sources erroneously give his middle name as Edgar. He is best known for his popular music chart successes with songs such as, "All Around the World" (1955), "Need Your Love So Bad" (1956) and "Fever" the same year, the latter covered in 1958 by Peggy Lee. An important figure in early R&B music, Little Willie John was a 1996 Inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He was born in Cullendale, Arkansas, one of ten children, his family moving to Detroit, Michigan when he was four so that his father could pursue factory work. In the late 1940s, the eldest children, including Willie, formed a gospel singing group, and Willie also performed in talent shows, which brought him to the notice of Johnny Otis and, later, musician and producer Henry Glover. After seeing him sing with the Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams orchestra, Glover signed him to a recording contract with King Records in 1955. He was nicknamed "Little Willie" John for his short stature.
His first recording, a version of Titus Turner's "All Around the World", was a hit, reaching # 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. He followed up with a string of R&B hits, including the original version of "Need Your Love So Bad", written by his elder brother Mertis John Jr. One of his biggest hits, "Fever" (1956) (Pop #24), was more famously covered by Peggy Lee in 1958. However, John's version alone sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. Another song, "Talk to Me, Talk to Me" recorded in 1958, reached #5 in the R&B chart and #20 in the Pop chart, and also sold over one million. A few years later it was a hit once again by Sunny & the Sunglows. He also recorded "I'm Shakin'" by Rudy Toombs, "Suffering With The Blues", and "Sleep" (1960) (Pop #13). In all, John made the Billboard Hot 100 a total of fourteen times. A cover version of "Need Your Love So Bad" by Fleetwood Mac was also a hit in Europe. Another of his songs to be covered was "Leave My Kitten Alone", (1959). The Beatles recorded a version in 1964, intended for their Beatles for Sale album, but it went unreleased until 1995.
Willie John was known for his short temper and propensity to abuse alcohol, and was dropped by his record company in 1963. In 1966, he was convicted of manslaughter and sent to Washington State Penitentiary for a fatal knifing incident following a show in Seattle. He appealed against his conviction and was released while the case was reconsidered, during which time he recorded what was intended to be his comeback album, but owing to contractual wrangling and the decline of his appeal, it was not released until 2008 (as Nineteen Sixty Six). Little Willie John died in 1968 at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington. Despite counter claims, the official cause of death was listed in his death certificate as a heart attack.
His interment was in Warren, Michigan's Detroit Memorial Park East.
Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
He was the brother of singer Mable John, who recorded for Motown and Stax, and the father of Keith John, a long time backing vocalist for Stevie Wonder.
James Brown, who early in his career had opened shows for John, recorded a tribute album, Thinking about Little Willie John... and a Few Nice Things.
Robbie Robertson, former lead guitarist for The Band, referenced John in a song on his 1987 self-titled album titled "Somewhere Down the Crazy River." He was also referenced in Tom Russell's "Blue Wing."
A biography, Fever: Little Willie John; A Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul, written by Susan Whitall with Kevin John (another son of Little Willie John) was released in 2011 by Titan Books.
Do You Love Me
little willie john Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not telling my age but something got a hold of me
I'm just craving some lovin' in that old fashion way
Honey linger near and listen to all I had to say
Why don't you haul off and love me one more time
Why don't you squeeze me until I'm turning blind
If you don't cuddle up and love me like I want you to do
I'm gonna haul off and die over you
Now honey come a little closer put your little hand in mine
Let me feel your arms about me honey please don't change your mind
Cause my lovesick heart's a troublin' as I hold you close to mine
I'm just havin' lot of lovin' waitin' for me on the line
Why don't you haul off and love me
Now I can feel your warm lips near me hear you breathe so soft and fine
I can feel the matrimony crawlin' up and down my spine
I don't believe that love will hurt you cause it feels so nice and kind
I get mighty close to heaven when your love is on the line
Why don't you haul off and love me
In Little Willie John's "Do You Love Me" the artist sings about being bitten by the "love bug" and craving affection in the old-fashioned way. He pleads with his lover to give him the love and attention he desires, warning that he will die without it. Throughout the song, he uses vivid imagery to express his desire and the effect it has on him, such as feeling matrimony crawling up and down his spine when he is close to his lover, and feeling like he is close to heaven when he is receiving love.
The first verse suggests that the singer is now in his mid-twenties, when the "love bug" is said to strike, indicating that he has reached a stage of his life where he is seeking a deeper connection with someone. The chorus expresses his desire to be loved, physically and emotionally, by his partner. In the second verse, he invites his lover to come closer and express their feelings physically, as he enjoys feeling their arms around him. He believes that love feels good and will not hurt, describing it as a feeling that takes him close to heaven.
Overall, the song features classic blues themes, such as unrequited love, longing for affection, and intense physical attraction between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the love bug will get you at the age of twenty three
There's a common saying that states that people mostly fall in love when they reach twenty-three years of age.
I'm not telling my age but something got a hold of me
I might not disclose my age, but I know that love has taken hold of me.
I'm just craving some lovin' in that old fashion way
All I want is to be loved in a traditional and sincere way.
Honey linger near and listen to all I had to say
My dear, come closer and pay attention to every word I'm about to say.
Why don't you haul off and love me one more time
Could you please embrace me and show me your love once again?
Why don't you squeeze me until I'm turning blind
Hold me so tight that I'll feel consumed by your love.
If you don't cuddle up and love me like I want you to do
If you don't hold me close and love me in the way that I desire,
I'm gonna haul off and die over you
I might just die if I don't receive your love and affection.
Now honey come a little closer put your little hand in mine
Sweety, come nearer and take my hand in yours, please.
Let me feel your arms about me honey please don't change your mind
Hold me and demonstrate that you won't stop loving me.
Cause my lovesick heart's a troublin' as I hold you close to mine
My heart is beating so fast and strong since I have you close to me due to my love illness.
I'm just havin' lot of lovin' waitin' for me on the line
I have a lot of love to give, and I'm certain that I'll receive it in return.
Now I can feel your warm lips near me hear you breathe so soft and fine
I can sense your warm breath on my skin, and it feels so gentle and cozy.
I can feel the matrimony crawlin' up and down my spine
I feel as if I'm marrying you just by having you close to me.
I don't believe that love will hurt you cause it feels so nice and kind
I'm confident that love can't cause any harm since it feels so wonderful and compassionate.
I get mighty close to heaven when your love is on the line
When I feel your love, I feel so close to euphoria and happiness.
Why don't you haul off and love me
Please, grab me in your embrace and love me.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LONNIE GLOSSON, WAYNE RANEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Jackson
Thnks, love it, his best for me,pity he didn't cut more tracks in this vein or venue or did he?,think this was cut in New Orleans read somewhere.